Weekend Rumblings - News for July 6, 2024

The Royals know they need to start winning on this road trip, writes Jaylon Thompson.

“Things will start falling our way and get back in that ‘W’ column on the road,” Marsh said.

“(We’ll) take this momentum into the road for sure.” The bottom line? Manager Matt Quatraro provided it: “We gotta string some wins together.”

Matt Quatraro comments on last night’s home run call that was upheld on review.

Anne Rogers writes about how Michael Massey is trying to contribute as he tries to recover from back issues.

“As a baseball player, you hit and then you go make plays in the field to help the team that way,” Massey said. “I don’t really like hitting then riding a bike. It’s something I’ll do if that’s the best way to help the team, but I’d much rather be out there on the field, playing every day. And I feel like I’m close. From a physical perspective, I feel like I’m much stronger than I was six weeks ago.”

Walter Pennington described getting the call to the big leagues.

“My wife was first,” Pennington said of his first phone calls. “She just broke down. This is something that we have been dreaming of our whole lives. From undrafted to going to college here and high school, it’s been a wild ride.”

Quatraro talked about what he can bring to the bullpen.

“He’s been really good against lefties,” manager Matt Quatraro said. “He’s been good against righties as well, and he can provide length. He’s very versatile. … [Strike-throwing] is what we prioritize and stress getting guys ahead of hitters. And he’s done that all year.”

Kevin O’Brien at Royals Reporter writes about what fans can expect from Pennington.

Pennington’s slider was a dominant pitch in multiple categories. Not only did it generate a whiff rate of 48.1% and K% of 44.9%, but hitters only produced a hard-hit rate of 31.7% and a barrel rate of 3.2% on the pitch as well. Thus, it’s unsurprising that Triple-A hitters only produced an xwOBA of .187 on the slider.

Jim Bowden takes questions about what each team should do at the trade deadline.

The Royals have had a great first half, but I think they look more like a third-place team behind the Guardians and Twins and I believe the Astros and Rangers will both pass them in the second half. In addition, the Royals don’t have a great farm system, which will make it difficult to pull off a major acquisition at the deadline. That being said, their front office is trying to improve their bullpen and outfield situation, as GM JJ Picollo has been aggressive in trade talks. Matt Quatraro has done an amazing job managing this team and Picollo has impressed in rebuilding the rotation and putting together a lineup that doesn’t strike out, but I don’t see the Royals, despite their big gains in the win column this year, maintaining their grip on a playoff spot.

Pete Grathoff writes about a trade some fans made with MJ Melendez.

The Yankees were one strike away from victory, but fall to the Red Sox in a stunner.

Twins infielder Jose Miranda sets a club record with hits in ten consecutive plate appearances.

Is there a beef between Yankees skipper Aaron Boone and Aaron Judge’s personal hitting coach?

Fernando Tatis Jr. is unlikely to play in the All-Star game due to injury.

Is Paul Skenes already in the All-Star conversation?

Philadelphia’s Alec Bohm will participate in the Home Run Derby.

What teams could acquire Garrett Crochet from the White Sox?

Why the Red Sox need to be aggressive buyers at the trade deadline.

Canada defeats Venezuela to advance to the Copa semifinals.

Zach LaVine has gone from overrated to underrated in trade rumors.

The anxious history of summer camps.

Japan is finally getting rid of rules requiring records to be kept on floppy disks.

Hollywood is obsessed with the story of a socialite losing control of his bowels at Gwyneth Paltrow’s house.

Your song of the day is Dwight Yoakam with A Thousand Miles From Nowhere.